Accessing same-day addiction intake in Ontario: a step-by-step plan

If you or a loved one needs fast access to addiction care, a same-day addiction intake can begin treatment the day you present to a clinic or walk-in service. This ordered how-to explains what to check first, where to find same-day services, how to use an intake portal or walk in, what the nurse and physician assessments look like, which medication-assisted treatments may start the same day, clear safety stop points, and alternatives if same-day care is not available. For related first-party details, review same day addiction intake process.

Quick checklist: ordered steps to begin a same-day addiction intake

1. Stop and check for immediate danger. If there are life-threatening signs, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
2. Look for a same-day option near you: a RAAM walk-in clinic, an outpatient clinic offering same-day intakes, or an emergency referral. Use provincial directories or clinic websites to confirm location and hours.
3. If the clinic has a secure intake portal, complete it before you arrive to speed triage. Otherwise, plan to walk in early and bring the information below.
4. Attend nurse triage, then the physician assessment the same day when available. Be ready to discuss recent substance use, current medications, allergies, and supports.
5. If medication-assisted treatment is appropriate, the physician will confirm which option to start and arrange follow-up. Book next visits or prescriptions before you leave.

ConnexOntario lists local mental health and addiction services and can help you find RAAM clinics and other options across Ontario 24 hours a day. Use their search tool to locate nearby services quickly and safely.

Step 1: check for immediate danger before you start

Before attempting a same-day intake, decide whether the person needs emergency care instead. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 if any of the following are present:

• Unresponsive or not breathing, choking, or having seizures.
• Severe respiratory distress, very slow breathing, or very small pupils after opioid use.
• Active suicidal intent, severe psychosis, or dangerous aggression that cannot be managed safely in an outpatient setting.
• Rapidly worsening medical illness that requires immediate tests or inpatient treatment.

Ontario government resources outline how to find crisis supports and when to access emergency care. If you are unsure, contact local crisis lines listed on the Ontario mental health and addiction services page for guidance. For central planning on standard intake tools and referrals, review Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness.

Step 2: find a same-day option near you

Ontario offers several same-day access pathways. Rapid Access Addiction Medicine, or RAAM, clinics are low-barrier walk-in services that provide same-day care for many people with problematic substance use. RAAM clinics often accept walk-ins without a referral and have been used to connect patients directly from emergency departments to same-day care, improving access for people who need immediate help. See CAMH EENet for examples of how RAAM and digital triage increase access to addiction medicine.

Outpatient clinic networks may also offer same-day intakes at some locations. Road To Recovery operates multiple outpatient addiction clinics across Ontario and aims to reduce delays by triaging new opioid agonist therapy intakes with a nurse and then a physician on the same day a patient starts. Check the clinic website to confirm which locations offer same-day intake and whether you should walk in or use an online form.

If you cannot find a same-day clinic online, call the clinic directly or use provincial directories to locate nearby options and hours.

Step 3: walk in or use an online intake portal

Many clinics speed new patient starts with a secure intake portal. Completing the portal before arrival saves time and lets nurses review key information in advance. If you cannot complete the portal, arrive prepared to provide the same details in person. Road To Recovery uses a secure online intake portal to streamline new patient starts and reduce wait times.

When you arrive for a walk-in intake expect nurse triage first. If the clinic publishes walk-in hours, arrive within those hours and be prepared for variable wait times depending on demand.

What to expect during intake: nurse triage followed by physician assessment

What a nurse will do in triage

The nurse performs an immediate clinical assessment to determine safety and urgency. Typical triage tasks include:

• Checking vital signs and level of consciousness.
• Assessing withdrawal symptoms and recent substance use, including the time of last use.
• Identifying current medications, allergies, pregnancy status if relevant, and other medical conditions.
• Using standard intake questions to determine level of need and appropriate referral, as recommended in provincial guidance.
• Deciding whether same-day physician assessment and potential medication initiation are safe.

What the physician decides and when medication can start

The physician reviews the nurse assessment, confirms clinical suitability for same-day medication-assisted treatment, selects the most appropriate medication, and arranges safe follow-up. Some medications for opioid use disorder can be started the same day when clinical criteria are met and required monitoring is available. Clinics like Road To Recovery and RAAM services aim to provide coordinated same-day starts when this is safe and appropriate.

Which treatments may be started the same day: Methadone, Suboxone, Sublocade, and Kadian

Medication-assisted treatment choices vary by clinic and by patient needs. Outpatient clinics commonly offer Methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) and may arrange for long-acting formulations such as Sublocade or slow-release oral morphine products like Kadian depending on clinical suitability and provincial policy. The physician will balance safety, withdrawal status, prior treatment history, and follow-up capacity to choose the right option. Confirm with the clinic which medications they can start on the same day and what monitoring will be required.

What to bring and how to prepare your information

Bring or have ready the information that speeds assessment. This list is suggested and not clinic-mandated. Confirm any specific ID or coverage requirements with the clinic ahead of time.

• Photo identification if you have it and any health card or coverage information you can provide.
• A brief timeline of substance use, including last use and usual route of use.
• List of current prescription and non-prescription medications, and any allergies.
• Contact information for an emergency contact or support person.
• Relevant medical history, including pregnancy status if applicable.

If you complete the clinic’s secure intake portal, attach documents and enter the details above to make triage faster. If you arrive without ID or coverage, clinics often still assess immediate safety and discuss options, so do not delay seeking care if you are at risk.

Safety stop points and when to go to emergency instead

Do not attempt a same-day outpatient intake if any of the following are present. Seek emergency care or call 911:

• Severe breathing problems, unresponsiveness, or seizures.
• Severe suicidal ideation, active psychosis, or behaviour that risks immediate harm to self or others.
• Medical instability that requires urgent imaging, inpatient care, or specialist assessment.

When in doubt, contact local crisis services or visit the nearest emergency department for immediate evaluation. Ontario’s mental health and addiction services page includes crisis supports and where to turn for urgent help.

How to choose between a RAAM walk-in, an outpatient clinic, or the emergency department

Choose based on urgency and the supports you need:

• RAAM walk-in clinics are appropriate for low-barrier, same-day outpatient care when there are no emergency signs. RAAM services are designed for rapid access and walk-in assessment. See CAMH EENet for examples of RAAM practice.
• Outpatient clinic networks are the right choice if you want continuity of care with scheduled follow-up, integrated counselling, and psychiatry referral options. Some networks offer same-day nurse and physician intakes and ongoing coordination.
• Go to the emergency department if the person is medically unstable, severely intoxicated, unconscious, or at imminent risk of self-harm.

Next steps after same-day intake: follow-up, psychiatry referrals, and supports

After a same-day start you should receive a written plan for follow-up visits, dosing instructions if medication was started, and referrals for psychosocial supports. Clinics may coordinate psychiatry referrals locally or through virtual specialist partners when additional assessment is needed. Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness recommends standard intake tools and coordinated referral pathways to ensure timely follow-up and appropriate core services.

Ask the clinic about community counselling options, peer supports, and how to reach on-call staff outside clinic hours. If you need extra mental health assessment, ask whether the clinic can arrange virtual psychiatry consultation.

If same-day care is not available: interim options and who to call

If no same-day appointments are available, use these interim options:

• Use provincial directories or clinic phone lines to find other local services, RAAM clinics, or urgent supports.
• If you are concerned about safety or severe withdrawal, go to the nearest emergency department.
• Make a safety plan with a trusted contact, remove access to means of self-harm if present, and use local crisis lines until clinical care is available.

Concise checklist to take with you

• Step 1: Confirm no emergency red flags. If present, call 911.
• Step 2: Locate a RAAM or outpatient clinic that offers same-day intake using provincial directories or clinic websites.
• Step 3: Complete the clinic intake portal if available, or bring the suggested information above.
• Step 4: Attend nurse triage and physician assessment the same day if offered, and accept the clinic follow-up plan.
• Step 5: If same-day care is not possible, use provincial referral services or go to emergency if the person is medically unstable.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start methadone or Suboxone the same day at a clinic in Ontario?

Yes, some clinics and RAAM services can initiate Methadone or Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) on the same day when a clinician judges it clinically appropriate and safe. Each clinic follows clinical protocols and will consider withdrawal status, medical history, and monitoring needs. Confirm availability with the clinic before you go and discuss ongoing follow-up.

Is same-day intake confidential and will it appear on my medical record?

Intake at regulated clinics is confidential and becomes part of the medical record used for treatment. Clinics provide care in a confidential, judgment-free environment but they must follow legal obligations for safety, child protection, and public health reporting when applicable. Ask the clinic about privacy practices if you have concerns.

What should I do if the person needing care is intoxicated or in severe withdrawal?

If a person is severely intoxicated, at risk of overdose, not breathing well, seizing, or otherwise medically unstable, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. For severe withdrawal that is medically unstable, emergency assessment is also appropriate. For less severe withdrawal, RAAM clinics or outpatient intakes may still offer assessment and treatment.

How can a family member arrange a same-day intake for someone else?

Family members can help by locating clinics, completing intake portals with the person’s consent, and bringing relevant information. Clinics require the patient’s consent for treatment, and staff will explain options and confidentiality. If the person cannot consent and is at immediate risk, seek emergency help.

What if no same-day appointments are available near me?

If same-day care is not available, contact provincial directories to find nearby RAAM clinics or other urgent options. If safety concerns exist, go to the emergency department. Also ask clinics about waitlist prioritization and interim supports while you wait.

Key provincial references: the Ontario mental health and addiction services portal for local listings and crisis supports, and the Roadmap to Wellness for information about standardized intake and referral pathways. For examples of RAAM clinic practice and digital access, see CAMH EENet resources on rapid access addiction medicine.

Visit Road To Recovery to use the secure intake portal or find a nearby clinic location for same-day assessment. The Ontario mental health services page and the Roadmap to Wellness provide provincial listings and guidance on crisis supports and referral standards. For RAAM clinic examples see the CAMH EENet resource.

Ready to start a same-day intake with Road To Recovery?